MARTINEZ — Owners of animals deemed aggressive or dangerous will now have to pay permit fees of up to $500 annually, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors decided Tuesday.

The fee structure comes on the heels of a new countywide ordinance that imposes regulations on the ownership and possession of potentially dangerous and dangerous animals.

The board adopted the ordinance that does not distinguish by breed in November, following a public hearing where people both praised and criticized the rules. The ordinance will take effect Thursday.

Theres been a history of dog maulings over the last few years, said Supervisor John Gioia of Richmond, citing instances in his home city and Concord. Some of the events prompted us to look at how to be more proactive.

The ordinance defines a potentially dangerous animal as one that: bites a person; bites, kills or inflicts injury to a domestic animal; engages in any behavior that requires a defensive action twice within a 36-month period; or poses an immediate threat to public safety when unprovoked.

A dangerous animal is one that severely injures or kills a human in an unprovoked attack, attacks livestock or was used during the commission of a misdemeanor or felony, according to the rules.

Under the ordinance, if an animal services officer deems there is probable cause an animal is potentially dangerous or dangerous, a public hearing will be held to determine if a permit is required.

The application fee for a permit is $300 and people issued permits must pay $500 annually and comply with certain conditions or face losing their animals.

The ordinance also prohibits convicted felons from owning potentially dangerous or dangerous dogs or ones that weigh more than 20 pounds without a permit.

The reason we chose the weight is because you cant be breed-specific, Gioia said.

Under the fees imposed, felons must pay $175 annually for a permit to keep a prohibited dog. New communications officer

The supervisors also directed County Administrator John Sweeten to find internal resources to pay for a chief communications officer position to coordinate public outreach.

Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier of Concord requested that the county seek existing funds through reorganization and vacancies to pay for the $132,000 position rather than authorize new ones.

The board approved the new position in November. Some supervisors reiterated the need for a central person to communicate with the public and media despite the tight financial times.

“While we have challenges, we also have a lot of great things going on in the county, too. To communicate all of that to the public, I feel, is most vital,” Supervisor Mary N. Piepho said.

County officials receive awards

Contra Costa earned three out of 10 California State Association of Counties 2005 Circle of Service Awards that recognize “outstanding contributions by county employees.”

Sweeten, who will retire in March, Community Development Director Dennis Barry and Deputy Public Works Director Mitch Avalon received the awards.

Sweeten was selected for his work on public pension reform and retiree health benefits; Barry for his work helping employees understand flood control and land use issues; and Avalon for his work with the state Department of Fish and Game on environmentally-sensitive flood control projects.

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